Our Themed Curriculum is driven through our thematic ‘topic’ based learning where teachers plan a series of lessons. These are based on accumulating the knowledge and concepts of the foundation subjects and at times Science. The curriculum distinguishes between subject topics. Our themed approach enables our children to make meaningful links with their learning so that schemas can be built and connections between neural pathways are strengthened. The core subjects may be woven through - where it enhances the learning - or may otherwise be discrete. Our topics have a History and Geography base so that we teach location and place, weather, knowledge and climate skills and about significant historical events, people and places in our own locality.

It is important to us that Art, Design and Technology and where appropriate English, Maths and Science are linked in topic teaching. Topic also provides further opportunities to learn about values, people and cultures.

We also plan using milestones to ensure progression of key concepts through Key Stage 2. Our pedagogical approach is that of mastery – which focuses upon deep understanding and questioning – avoiding cognitive overload.

HISTORY

Our intention is to bring History to life through providing first-hand, real-life opportunities for all children to experience, through school activities and beyond, to develop their imagination and curiosity. Directing their imagination and curiosity by giving children clues to piece together the events of the past; allowing them to make connections with their own experiences and between historical events and support them to make connections through time. We follow the National Curriculum Programme of Study for teaching History and teach it through a themed approach making cross curricular links where possible. 

Each year, as Historians the children build upon their prior knowledge and understanding and become more skilled in the key concepts of:

• Understanding Chronology - looking at how to chart the passing of time and understand what was happening
• Communicating Historically - using historical vocabulary to explain and describe the past
• Investigating and Interpreting Evidence - looking at evidence we have about the past
• Making Connections in World History - looking at different periods and understanding change

Our intention is that when they leave in Year 6, they can talk confidently about periods they have studied, recalling key facts and dates, they understand where each piece fits into wider world history, can compare and contrast periods of time using subject-specific language and use evidence to support or dispute ideas and are curious to find out more about the past.

GEOGRAPHY

Our intention is to deliver a Geography curriculum which is inclusive, adaptive and meets the needs of all our children, enabling them to understand similarities, differences and gain knowledge of the wider community and the world around us. We will deliver the Geography curriculum through interactively engaging all the children, incorporating a mixture of practical visits/activities (where possible) and theoretical class-based learning. We aim to direct their imagination and curiosity by allowing them to question and make connections with their own experiences and between localities both known and unknown. We teach the National Curriculum Programme of Study for Geography. Children’s learning will also be enhanced, where effective/appropriate, using cross-curricular links and a thematic approach.

Each year, the children building upon their prior knowledge and understanding and become more skilled as a Geographer in the key concepts of:

• Investigating Places - looking at locations and their human and physical features
• Investigating Patterns - looking at the relationship between people and places in which they live and how the resources are used.
• Communicating Geographically - using specific vocabulary and representations when talking about place

Our intention is that when they leave in Year 6, children will have developed a natural curiosity about the world; they can talk confidently about places they have studied, recalling key facts, they understand where each place is situated in the world and can use specific vocabulary to compare places around the world.

ART 

It is our intent for the Art curriculum for children to learn about great artists, the works they have created and to also understand how art has influenced the world we live in. The skills and knowledge that children will develop throughout each art topic are mapped across each year group and throughout the school, to ensure progression and a balance of the key aspects of art.  We follow the National Curriculum Programme of study for Art. Links are made to other subjects, especially English, History, Science and Geography where relevant and appropriate. This enables children to develop their knowledge of individual artists as well as individual works and art movements. A focus on knowledge, skills and creativity means that children are given opportunities to express their creative imagination, as well as practise and develop mastery in the key processes of art: drawing, painting, collage, printing, textiles, and sculpture. Children keep sketchbooks in support of their work from Year 1 onwards. 

In school we have 3 key concepts in art. As artists we learn to:

• Develop Ideas - by thinking about and understanding how ideas for art develop.
• Master techniques - by developing the skills needed to create artwork.
• Take Inspiration from the greats - by learning from the artistic process and techniques used by great artists throughout history.

Each year the children become more skilled in these key concepts, building upon their prior knowledge, and understanding. Our intention is that when they leave in Year 6, they are able to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas, and furthermore, improve their mastery of art and design techniques and know about great artists, architects and designers in history, as well as comment on artworks with a fluent grasp of visual language.

DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

Our intention in Design Technology is to teach our children to become creative and innovative thinkers. With an ever-changing world, we aim to provide our pupils with the skills needed to create, design, and build a variety of technology-based products. We follow the National Curriculum Programme of Study for DT and aim to link designs to our themed curriculum. Throughout the school, the pupils will have opportunities to explore products and raise questions related to design and purpose. They will be taught to select appropriate materials and use equipment safely. They will be encouraged to refine and redraft their ideas and become critical in their craftsmanship to meet the needs of design specifications. Our intention in DT is to teach our children to become creative and innovative thinkers. With an ever-changing world, we aim to provide our pupils with the skills needed to create, design, and build a variety of technology-based products.

At Alfred Street we have 3 key concepts in DT. As designers we learn to:

• Master practical skills - by developing the skills needed to make high quality products
• Design, make, evaluate, and improve - by understanding that design is a process
• Take inspiration from design throughout history - by appreciating how the design process has influenced things we use in everyday life

Throughout the school, the pupils will have opportunities to explore products and raise questions related to design and purpose. They will be taught to select appropriate materials and use equipment safely. They will be encouraged to refine and redraft their ideas and become critical in their craftsmanship to meet the needs of design specifications.